SJB Presidential Election Manifesto Promises Transformation for Sri Lanka
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), led by Sajith Premadasa, has unveiled an ambitious manifesto for the upcoming Presidential Election, pledging to transform Sri Lanka into a prosperous, corruption-free, and inclusive nation. The manifesto, titled “A Win for All,” outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the country’s economic challenges, enhance social justice, and ensure sustainable development across all sectors.
Increase Renewable Energy Generation: Achieve 70% renewable energy generation by 2030.
Personal Income Tax Reform: Personal income tax will start at just 1% after a tax-free slab of Rs 100,000 per month and will gradually increase.
Senior Citizen Savings: Guarantee up to a 15% savings interest rate for senior citizen savings accounts.
Education Infrastructure: Develop a roadmap to transform every school into a smart school with 100% electricity and water facilities.
Monthly Allowances for Vulnerable Groups: Increase welfare allowances to Rs. 10,000 per month for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Healthcare Initiatives: Provide a full medical check-up every 3 years for citizens over 40, with state contributions.
Fertilizer Subsidy: Offer a 50kg fertilizer bag for Rs. 5,000 to farmers, ensuring continuous availability.
Microfinance Debt Relief: Increase monthly allowances for vulnerable and transitional poor families to Rs. 10,000 and extremely poor families to Rs. 15,000.
Expansion of Smart Grid: Transform Sri Lanka’s national power grid into a Smart Grid within 5 years.
Housing Loans: Introduce a “Two Generation Loan” scheme with long-term repayment options and minimal interest for first-time homeowners.
Economic Revival and Transparency
At the heart of the SJB’s agenda is the promise to rebuild Sri Lanka’s economy through a Social Market Economy model. The party commits to fostering equitable growth by combining market-driven policies with strong social protections. To combat corruption, which has been a significant issue in Sri Lanka, the SJB plans to introduce stringent anti-corruption laws, establish an independent Public Prosecutor’s Office, and enhance transparency in public finance management.
Education, Healthcare, and Housing Reforms
The SJB manifesto emphasizes substantial reforms in education, healthcare, and housing. They promise to revamp the education system to produce internationally competitive graduates and provide free public transportation to all teachers. In healthcare, the party aims to strengthen the sector with technological advancements and ensure universal access to quality services. On the housing front, the SJB plans to launch affordable housing projects and provide loans with favorable terms for first-time homeowners.
Social Justice and Empowerment
The SJB is also committed to promoting social justice and empowering marginalized communities. This includes implementing a robust social safety net for the vulnerable, enhancing women’s representation in government, and providing targeted support for the indigenous Adiwasi community and the Malaiyaha Tamil community. The manifesto also includes specific measures to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and foster a dynamic startup ecosystem.
Sustainable Development and Green Initiatives
Recognizing the importance of environmental sustainability, the SJB plans to advance green initiatives, including increasing renewable energy generation to 70% by 2030 and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The party also intends to introduce policies to modernize the transportation sector, with a focus on eco-friendly public transport and infrastructure development.
National Security and Governance Reforms
On governance, the SJB manifesto promises to strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law. This includes revising the constitution to enhance devolution, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and promoting good governance. The party also plans to reinforce national security through a comprehensive national security strategy and improved coordination among intelligence agencies.
Housing Scheme for Migrant Workers: Implement a tax exemption program on housing materials for migrant workers.
Youth Employment Training: Provide specialized training programs for over 50,000 unemployed graduates to enhance employability.
New Industrial Zones: Establish 25 state-of-the-art industrial zones across all districts to create balanced regional development.
IT Park Development: Establish 25 cutting-edge IT parks to promote technological innovation and job creation.
Healthcare Check-ups: Provide a full medical check-up every 3 years for citizens over 40 years old with state contributions.
School Modernization: Transform every school into a smart school with 100% electricity and water facilities.
Microfinance Debt Relief: Increase monthly allowances to Rs. 10,000 for vulnerable families and Rs. 15,000 for extremely poor families.
Housing Loans: Introduce a “Two Generation Loan” scheme for first-time homeowners with minimal interest rates and long-term repayment options.
Agricultural Credit Facilities: Provide interest-free loans to farmers and waive existing farmer loans (Govi Naya).
Education for Women: Provide monthly cash transfers for menstrual hygiene products to all school-going girls from Grade 6 to 13.
Public Sector Salary Increase: Increase the minimum initial monthly salary for government servants by at least 24%.
Electricity Sector Reforms: Modernize existing thermal power plants to operate on LNG within 2 years.
Digital Public Infrastructure: Develop a comprehensive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) within 2 years to enhance public service delivery.
Renewable Energy for Homes: Empower 1 million homes with solar power within 5 years through the “Battle for Solar Energy” project.
